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BWCA Fire Update

A wildfire near Ely has grown about 20 acres in size as of the end of the day Tuesday, burning a total of 50 acres in the Superior National Forest.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the fire remains on a peninsula separating the west end of Cummings Lake from the northeast side of Otter Lake.

The Forest Service reports as of Tuesday night that 16 firefighters remained on the ground and a helicopter was in use. Crews were apparently making good progress on creating control lines around fire.

Conditions continue to be very dry, but winds are expected to be light.

The fire started in the BWCA sometime on Sunday afternoon, but it’s not known why. No injuries or burned structures have been reported.

The combination of a very mild winter and early spring conditions benefited black bears in Wisconsin, according to state wildlife officials, who say bears are abundant in the north and continue to expand their range into areas of central and western areas of the state.